Font

The National Monuments Service's description

Holed stone, possibly a font described by Graves (1883, 85) as a “round granite font 2 feet wide across the bottom, in which there is the usual drain hole. The sides are broken away”. Recently recorded by Corlett (2019) as ; 'This must correspond with a stone presently situated at the east end of the church (WI042-019001-). This comprises a granite block (67cm x 56cm across; 30cm thick) with one rough face and one flat face, the latter representing the underside. There is an off-centre hole cut vertically through the thickness of the stone, which is circular on the flat face (9cm across) and slightly splayed and oval (6cm x 4cm) on the rough face. Notably, Graves described the font as circular, whereas the stone described here represents only a portion of a large circular font; one edge is clearly curved and has a straight side. The rough face of the stone evidently represents the upper portion of the font, and a segment of the inner circumference of the basin survives where it mirrors the surviving curve of the outer edge. The rim of the basin has been effectively removed, as noted by Graves, and the base is severely mutilated'.

Compiled by: Chris Corlett and Claire Breen

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Chris Corlett

Date of revised upload: 12 March 2020

References

Graves, Rev. A.B. 1883-4 The Damhliag of Achadhabhall. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 16, 72-85.

Corlett, C. 2019 Archaeological Survey of Aghowle Church and Cross, Co. Wicklow. Unpublished National Monuments Survey Report carried out by Chris Corlett, October 2019.